Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Assessment

Backside Line

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is considered one of our prime selections for nearly any backpacking journey. It ranks extremely on our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Luggage Information as one of many cushiest and highest-quality down luggage we examined. It boasts a stellar warmth-to-weight ratio, huge down draft collar, full-length draft tube, and a dependable no-snag zipper. Most significantly, it’s as snug as down luggage get. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used this bag throughout many 30-40°F fall and spring nights throughout Colorado and Utah, and it was additionally the bag of alternative for Gear Analyst Casey Handley’s thru-hike of the Arizona Path.

The downsides of this sleeping bag? You’ll pay prime greenback. However for ultralight backpackers with a watch on sturdiness and efficiency, it’s value each penny. It’s additionally value noting the UltraLite’s match is a basic, comfortable mummy bag, so it could really feel a bit slender for some customers. And, it doesn’t have many options past the fundamentals which is a professional for minimalists and long-distance hikers, however could also be underwhelming for people who need a extra feature-forward sleep system.

Heat

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 gives probably the greatest heat to weight ratios we’ve examined. It’s distinctive at retaining heat with its premium 850+ fill energy down and smooth 12D nylon shell. The beneficiant draft collar – which extends 360° across the neck area of the bag – mixed with the plush full-length draft tube alongside the zipper ensures that chilly air stays out and heat is locked in, making it good for chilly nights. The no-snag zipper design enhances the luggage capability to take care of constant heat all through the night time. The comfortable mummy design successfully traps warmth near your physique, maximizing insulation.

And, we like Western Mountaineering’s conservative temperature ranking for the UltraLite. Whereas most producers overstate their consolation degree claims, the UltraLite 20 is a welcome exception. It’s completely filled with down fill – boasting 16 ounces, or a full pound, of feathers – so we’ve discovered it may well go fairly a bit decrease than the advisable 20°F consolation degree. To check this, we slept by frigid October and November nights within the Arizona and Utah deserts, the place temps hovered round 10°F. Paired with base layers and a heat sleeping pad, our analysts stayed toasty heat all night time lengthy.

The one downsides on the subject of heat? The Ultralites’ giant baffles. Its down tends to settle pretty rapidly in these greater areas after a couple of dozen occasions unpacking and repacking the bag. Fortunately, the feathers are straightforward to redistribute with guide massaging to remove chilly spots, however it may well grow to be a little bit of a job to organize for colder nights. And, the sacrifice you’ll make for such distinctive heat is the match is slender by – which is typical for a mummy bag, because it eliminates useless areas that may get chilly – though the comfortable match limits what number of layers you may put on. Final, whereas the UltraLite is impressively heat, it’s not thought-about a 4-season or winter bag. In case your subsequent backpacking journey includes in a single day temps that persistently 20°F or under, you’ll wish to think about including a liner, one other quilt, or swapping to a hotter bag to remain as heat as attainable.

Consolation

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is as snug as down luggage get. Because of premium supplies and a sensible, time-tested design, we preserve reaching for it 12 months spherical for backpacking journeys. The beneficiant down collar wraps 360° across the neck, which makes the bag really feel further comfortable on chilly nights. Its hood is extensive sufficient to accommodate a small to medium pillow and gives two cinch cords, one on the within and one on the surface, to get the precise match round your face and head, becoming like a cosy down hat. 12D ripstop nylon feels exceptionally smooth on the pores and skin and is comparatively quiet. The comfortable match of the mum bag design retains warmth and gives simply sufficient room to toss and switch. And, the high-quality down used within the UltraLite molds properly to the physique.

Nonetheless, the UltraLite 20 is a real mummy bag, which implies it gives a reasonably slender match all through. In the event you toss and switch, switching into a number of totally different positions in a single day, this might not be the bag for you, and there isn’t a lot further area for broad shoulders. Our solely different grievance is that its high-quality building calls for a bit of additional care and upkeep to make sure longevity – we discover that the thinner ultralight materials is susceptible to snags and punctures – which is perhaps a disadvantage for people who’re onerous on their gear.

Weight & Packability

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 leads the pack for its heat to weight ratio, so it’s good for backpackers who need excellent packability, top-tier insulation, and minimal weight. At 1 pound, 13 ounces for the 6 foot mannequin, the UltraLite lands in the course of the pack for general weight, however consider 16 ounces, or one pound – greater than half of its complete weight – is nothing however down feathers. That’s loads of insulation, giving it round 5 inches of loft that’s tremendous heat on chilly nights however compresses remarkably effectively. On longer journeys we are likely to stash our sleeping bag loosely round our different gear to forestall shifting whereas climbing, but it surely does match effortlessly right into a compact stuff sack. The minimalist design helps preserve weight down with out compromising efficiency, so it’s a handy alternative for multi-day journeys, balancing weight and performance.

That mentioned, for those who’re an ultralight aficionado who’s principally tenting in summer season or situations the place in a single day temps keep above 40°F, this bag is a bit heavy, and we’d suggest going with a lighter possibility. However for backpackers who’re trekking in shoulder seasons, taking up delicate winter situations, or are spending time within the excessive alpine, you received’t discover many extra packable or light-weight luggage anyplace.

Options

The UltraLite is constructed for ultralight lovers, so it has an easy characteristic set. The hood is spacious sufficient for many backpacking pillows, and the inner and exterior hood cinch cords are good for blocking out chilly air. Sturdy, light-weight two-way zippers with thick full-length zipper baffles and a full-circumference neck baffles makes this bag efficient and heat.

However that’s the place the options finish. For the reason that UltraLite 20 is concentrated on shedding each pointless ounce, you received’t discover parts like a stash pocket, ventilating mesh, extra zippers, or different conveniences that heavier, extra feature-forward luggage supply. This may not hit the mark for everybody, however we admire its streamlined design: by slicing out the extras, the UltraLite gives one of the best of one of the best for a high-performance, light-weight sleeping expertise.

Ought to You Purchase the Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20?

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is ideal for ultralight backpackers who need a technical sleeping bag with an distinctive warmth-to-weight ratio and high-quality building. It’s the gold commonplace for these keen to spend money on a premium sleeping bag that may final for many years if well-maintained. With a no-frills design that provides a beneficiant down collar, a full-length draft tube, and a no-snag zipper, this bag excels at protecting you heat and comfy down to twenty°F. Its design, optimized for heat and effectivity, makes the UltraLite 20 a wonderful alternative for cold-weather tenting and long-distance climbing.

Nonetheless, the UltraLite 20 isn’t for everybody. The excessive value level could be a barrier for budget-conscious hikers. Additionally, its comfortable mummy match could also be a bit too slender for customers preferring extra space. The bag’s minimalist design, whereas good for weight-conscious adventurers, lacks further options that some would possibly discover helpful. Nonetheless, for high-mileage adventures the place each gram counts and dependable efficiency issues, you received’t discover a larger high quality bag anyplace.

What Different Backpacking Sleeping Luggage Ought to You Contemplate?

Feathered Pals Swallow YF 20 Assessment:  This bag gives the same weight, heat, consolation ranking, and options to the UltraLite 20. However it’s extra inexpensive, obtainable in each ladies’s and males’s variations, and boasts a barely larger fill energy and fill weight that gram counters and minimalists would possibly want.

Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 Assessment: The Extremely 20 gives a comparable fill energy and an easy characteristic set because the Ultralite 20, though this bag is sort of a bit heavier – half a pound for the lads’s model, and a pound heavier for the ladies’s. However for roughly a 3rd of the worth, the Extremely is a greater possibility for novices or these on a finances.

Zpacks Basic 20 Assessment: The Basic 20 bag shares parts with the Ultralite 20 like the same consolation ranking, high-quality down and a easy, well-executed design. Nonetheless, it’s considerably lighter and extra compressible, comes with a better fill energy, and for a cheaper price –  though it’s not as heat or versatile in chilly climate.